fbpx ;

3 Ways Smoothies Are Hurting Your Smile (and What to Do About It)

I am a big, big fan of smoothies, partly because there have been times when that’s just about all I could eat thanks to chronic TMJ, but partly because, I mean, I LOVE fruit, and I love getting loads of nutrition in a simple and delicious way. I can’t think of an easier way to get oodles of greens on the go.
But could all those healthy additions be detrimental to my dental health?
The sad fact is that some of the good-for-you smoothies that we feel so virtuous about might have a negative effect on our teeth, and there are a few issues at play.
smiling woman with smoothie

1. Acid

First off, we have erosion caused by acidity. Obviously, your citrus fruits and juices have a rather low pH, making them more acidic than your tooth enamel (which is around 5.5), but other fruits, like kiwis, cherries, cranberries, plums, apples, pears and apricots are also a potential cause of erosion. Even spinach is slightly acidic.

2. Chromogens

We’re all for eating the rainbow, but those highly pigmented foods packed with nutrition also contain chromogens, which are colorful molecules that like to stick to your tooth enamel and create staining, particularly if paired with tannins (like you’d find in coffee or tea), says Web MD. Basically, if a food could stain your clothes, it has the potential to stain your teeth. And let’s be honest — a lot of what you toss in a smoothie could totally ruin your top.

3. Sugar

Well, you knew this one was coming, right? The fruits that make your smoothie so sweet and tasty might be worth major ducats when it comes to packing key nutrients, but they also tend to be packed with sugar, which, of course, can lead to tooth decay.
What to do about it: To combat some of the acid erosion, make your smoothie with milk or yogurt, suggests Men’s Health. Dairy contains calcium ions, which can negate the effects of acid. You might also want to find a twistie (or non-twistie if you hate fun) straw you like and start sucking, which will help the smoothie to mostly bypass your teeth. Consider rinsing out your mouth or brushing after your smoothie to get rid of any nasties that are trying to stick around. Swallowing quickly rather than savoring your smoothie in your mouth can also help.
Have you noticed any negative effects on your teeth from your smoothie habit? Will you be implementing any of these fixes? —Kristen

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!